Treatments for Swine Flu

TAMIFLU

TAMIFLU or “Tammy Flu” attacks the influenza virus and stops it from spreading inside your body. TAMIFLU treats flu at its source, by attacking the virus that causes the flu, rather than simply masking symptoms, and is the primary anti-viral to take if Swine Flu is contracted.

TAMIFLU is for treating adults and children age 1 and older with the flu whose flu symptoms started within the last day or two. TAMIFLU can also reduce the chance of getting the flu in people age 1 and older who have a higher chance of getting the flu because they spend time with someone who has the flu. TAMIFLU can also reduce the chance of getting the flu if there is a flu outbreak in the community.*

Who can take Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is approved for adults and children over 12 months of age.

Who should NOT take Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is not approved for:

• Children under 12 months old
• Women who are pregnant or nursing*****
• People who are allergic to oseltamivir phosphate, the main ingredient in Tamiflu, or any other ingredients in Tamiflu

*****During pregnancy mothers are normally advised to avoid medication when possible. Yet pregnancy increases the risk of flu as the immune system becomes weakened during pregnancy. As such the current advice from the health protection agency is that pregnant women who fall ill with influenza like symptoms should discuss their illness with their GP and probably will be advised to take antiviral medication. Their first choice will be Relenza as it has less systemic side effects and is inhaled as a power. Yet in the case of severe flu like symptoms the GP might recommend Tamiflu and no adverse reactions have been reported so far.

Your doctor will decide if Tamiflu is right for you if you have kidney disease, heart disease, respiratory disease or any other serious health condition**.

When should you take Tamiflu?
1. Treatment of ILI (influenza like illness)
Take Tamiflu within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Take one capsule twice a day for 5 days or as long as prescribed by your doctor.

2. Prevention:
Should you have been exposed for more than 1 hour in a house with someone with swine flu you can Tamiflu as  Prophylaxis of one tablet per day for ten days. (on day 11, you are no longer protected if you get exposed again!)

Tamiflu may be taken for up to 6 weeks in the case of an outbreak of influenza in the community.

Be sure to take all of the prescribed medication, even if you feel better

Be sure to take all of the prescribed medication, even if you feel better.

Dosage may be different for children and for liquid solutions.

Side Effects of Tamiflu?
Tamiflu may cause mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. Taking the medication with food or milk may decrease these symptoms. Less common side effects include bronchitis, difficulty sleeping and dizziness.

If you have an allergic reaction to Tamiflu, including a severe rash, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor.

Take note
There is no such thing as generic Tamiflu. Tamiflu is difficult to manufacture. Therefore, if you see so-called generic Tamiflu or herbal Tamiflu offered for sale it is most likely counterfeit, containing no active ingredient.

Tamiflu is only available as capsules or as a clear tutti-frutti flavored liquid syrup version for kids***.

Relenza

If you find yourself in an environment where exposure to catching the Swine Flu is quite possible, then prevention medication is just as important to take. Relenza is a key antiviral for the prevention of the flu.

Relenza (zanamavir) is an antiviral drug used to prevent or shorten the duration of the flu (influenza). It is an inhaled powder medication that is typically taken twice a day for five days to treat the flu or once a day for up to 28 days to prevent it for those people living with someone who has the flu or at high risk during a community outbreak.

Relenza is available to shorten the duration of or help prevent the flu, however it is advised that the primary choice should be to have a flu jab every year.

When to take Relenza
Relenza should be taken within 48 hours of the appearance of the flu symptoms. You should consult your doctor/GP so that they can determine if you actually have contracted the virus or if it is something else. It is VERY important that the medication is taken within the first 2 days, otherwise it may not work.

Who should take Relenza?
Relenza is a flu prevention antiviral and can be taken by people over the age of 5. If planning to take Relenza when the flu is already contracted, then you must be over the age of 7.

Who should not take Relenza?
Relenza is not approved for:

• People with chronic lung problems i.e. asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Children under 5
• If you are allergic to zanamivir or other key ingredients in Relenza

Can I take other Medication whilst on Relenza?
There is a minimal risk to the user if taking Relenza with other medication as long as the dosage is used correctly. You may even be advised by your GP to to take over the counter medication which could help reduce fever or other symptoms the flu could cause.****

Side Effects of Relenza?
Studies have found that there can be cases of nausea, headaches, diarrhoea, nasal irritation, bronchitis, cough, and dizziness. These are reported side effects of taking Relenza, there are also other uncommon effects like allergic reactions.  

Take note
Relenza is not a substitute for the flu jab. Best practice to counteract any type of flu would be to have an annual flu jab.

**** Reference from  http://www.relenza.com/relenza-faqs.html

The information on this page has been reviewed and approved by...

Dr Michaela Schuhwerk - MRCP, DTMH, DFFP, DipGUM, MSc Infectious Diseases, CCST in GUM Medicine

updated 22/7/2009